Bill Hollander says to keep your stupid bicycles off the sidewalk, unless youre a stupid kid. Thats how I read it: Remember, Don’t Ride on the Sidewalk no bikes on sidewalks When cyclists are faced with streets full of speeding cars and potholes, it’s not surprising that many riders feel that sidewalks are the safest place to cycle. However, unless you’re a small child, sidewalk riding can be significantly more dangerous than riding on the street, and it’s illegal. “Don’t ride on the sidewalk. Although you might think it’s a safer option, motorists are simply not looking for bicyclists on the sidewalk, especially those riding against traffic. So at every driveway and intersection, you are at much greater risk of being hit by a motorist than if you were riding on the road with traffic. Pedestrians will thank you for riding on the road as well.” Sidewalk riding is dangerous for three main reasons: speed, visibility and predictability. Cyclists travel much faster than people on foot. Pedestrians aren’t looking out for bicycles speeding down the sidewalk. It’s nearly impossible for them to anticipate – or avoid – sidewalk cyclists, nor should they be expected to. Remember, pedestrians have the right-of-way. Plus, a great variety of sidewalk users – D9’s large blind and visually impaired community, people with strollers, wheelchairs or walkers, seniors, children and even pets – are not compatible with fast-moving bikes. When riding on sidewalks, bicyclists pass driveways and cross streets at speeds that put them at odds with motorists. Often hidden behind parked cars, trees and other obstructions, sidewalk cyclists are invisible to drivers on the road until they suddenly enter a street or driveway, when most drivers won’t have enough time to stop for them. A bicycle is a vehicle. As with all vehicles, predictability is the key to safety. Weaving in and out of intersections and around pedestrians is dangerous, because no one cannot predict what the cyclist is going to do next. As a result, drivers and pedestrians cannot prepare to deal safely with sidewalk riders. Finally the law prohibits everyone but children from riding on the sidewalk, per Metro Ordinance, 74.01 Operation of Bicycles: No person 11 years of age or older shall operate a bicycle on the sidewalks located within the geographical boundary limits of Louisville. To read the entire ordinance please click here and quick search 74.01 and click on bicycles and motorcycles. For those times when sidewalk riding is allowed, please follow these guidelines: Ride slowly Always give the priority to pedestrians – stop and dismount your bike if there is not enough room for pedestrians to pass Say a friendly hello or ring your bell gently to warn pedestrians that you are about to pass from behind Approach driveways carefully, looking both ways Take extra care when going from the sidewalk onto the street and watch for turning cars Never ride with headphones covering both ears Never text or phone while riding Always assume that pedestrians and cars do not see you: ride defensively
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 02:22:57 +0000
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